Getting, and Surviving, a High School Job

Landing a Very First Real Job can be intimidating. But it's actually not hard if you just keep a few tips in mind:

1.) Apply to places you actually like.

You're not helping anybody, least of all yourself, if you apply at the local Slime Factory just because you desperately need money. Minimum wage is not worth the emotional cost of slaving over some task that makes you envy the dead. If at all possible, pick someplace you like so much that could enjoy yourself even if your time there were spent lugging unbearable-smelling garbage out to the dumpster and then fighting off chittering raccoons with a broom. (It is entirely possible that you will be the one who has to do this.)

2.) Do not lie, even though it is fun and devious.

If there is a place at which you really want to work, you might be tempted to embellish just a little bit. Do not make up a bunch of previous jobs in order to seem older and more experienced. Do not arrive in a fake moustache and claim that you have six years in video game sales, and also you are a king. Stores hire first-jobbers all the time, so they're mainly just making sure you're a presentable human being who will not inadvertently blow up the store. Just be yourself, or at least a version of yourself that is clean and has gotten some sleep.

3.) Find teachers who will say wonderful things about you for your references.
The hierarchy for references goes like this:

So if this is your Very Very First Job, a suitably-impressed teacher is going to be your best bet, or at least some responsible adult not obligated by family relationship to burble enthusiastically about whatever lie you may have made up.

4.) If you get the job, do not neglect school.

Taking a job means entering into an agreement to be there when you're needed, but school is way the heck more important right now. No matter how badly Cool Shirtz needs someone to fold their cool shirts, your chem final needs you, too. It needs you to fold…you know, covalent bonds or whatever, but the point is that you should never get pressured into skipping studying or homework for the sake of a job you probably won't even remember in a few years. Of course, you probably won't remember much about covalent bonds either, but that is entirely beside the point.

What's your ideal first job?

Related Post: The Top Ten Things You'll Learn at Your First Job